Virtual Power Plants 101

January 26-27, 2022 | Online

Click Here to Register ($1195)

This course will take the mystery out of virtual power plants (VPPs) – the software-and-wire linked networks of residential and commercial electricity generators as well as demand response resources that, aggregated together, can offer grid supply and services.  It will address their potential contribution to grid resiliency, the financial dividends they may yield to participants and adopters, and their deployment in the wholesale and retail electricity markets.

Learning Outcomes  

Attendees at this course will:  

  • Discuss the fundamentals of how virtual power plants (VPPs) operate  
  • Identify VPP aggregation products and services
  • Examine modeling of VPPs
  • Review fundamental design and system integration requirements of distribution and large-scale VPP grid applications 
  • Discuss the potential impact of FERC Orders 841 and 2222 on the participation of VPPs in various ISOs
  • Evaluate market designs that currently recognize the participation of VPPs
  • Assess VPP revenue flow to wholesale (utilities) and retail customers
  • Examine VPP utility case studies
  • Analyze VPP developer/sponsor financial model

Agenda

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2022

9:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. Central Time

9:00 – 9:20 a.m. :: Overview and Introductions

9:20 – 10:45 a.m. :: Foundations of Virtual Power Plants (VPPs)

  • Fundamentals of how virtual power plants operate  
  • VPP aggregation products and services
  • Aggregating different types of power assets
  • Data acquisition, metering, monitoring and validation
  • Software component(s)
  • Remote control of power assets
  • Trading optimizations

10:45 – 11:00 a.m. :: Morning Break

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. :: VPP Deployment Scenarios

  • VPP grid applications and value propositions
    • NWA/ CapEx deferral
    • Resource adequacy (reserves)
    • Wholesale energy arbitrage
    • Ramp and frequency response
    • Peaking power plant replacement
  • Status of VPP adoptions in North America

12:30 – 1:15 p.m. :: Lunch Break

1:15 – 2:45 p.m. :: How VPPs Get from “Here to There”

  • Review fundamental design and system integration requirements of distribution and large-scale VPP grid applications 
  • Modeling of VPPs
  • State regulatory commission policies, requirements
  • Contract and coordination with utility
  • Interface device w/utility meter
  • Coordination w/retail customers
  • Locational considerations in non-market areas
  • Barriers to overcome

2:45 – 3:00 p.m. :: Afternoon Break

3:00 – 4:45 p.m. :: VPP Outlook in the ISOs

  • Evaluate wholesale and retail electricity market designs that currently recognize the participation of VPPs
    • Supply side resource?
    • Demand side resource?
    • Which segment(s) of the market?
    • Dispatchable?
  • Prospective impact of FERC Orders 841 and 2222 on the participation of VPPs in various ISOs

4:45 p.m. :: Course Adjourns for Day

 

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022 : CENTRAL TIME

9:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Central Time

9:00 – 10:30 a.m. :: Utility Case Studies

  • Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO)
  • Southern California Edison (SCE)
  • Green Mtn Power (VT)
  • ConEdison

10:30 – 10:45 a.m. :: Morning Break

10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. :: VPP By the Numbers

  • Revenue flow to utilities, commercial and retail customers
  • Developer/sponsor financial model

12:15 p.m. :: Course Adjournment